Short Summary

In its 191st session at Geneva, Switzerland, March 31, the three-Power nuclear tests conference - running since October 1958 - reached a hopeful turning point with the formal tabling as a conference document of the Eisenhower-Macmillan Camp David declaration of March 29.

Description

In its 191st session at Geneva, Switzerland, March 31, the three-Power nuclear tests conference - running since October 1958 - reached a hopeful turning point with the formal tabling as a conference document of the Eisenhower-Macmillan Camp David declaration of March 29.

Mr. Wadsworth, USA, and Sir Michael Wright, Britain, jointly tabled the official communique in which President eisenhower and Prime Minister Macmillan agreed in general to a treaty banning all but smaller underground tests, with a moratorium to be declared on these, pending joint seismic research into adequate techniques.

An invitation by the West Germany was extended to Russia to join at once in planning a research programme. Mr Wadsworth indicated that the duration of the moratorium should be settled only after agreement on a research programme, and settlement of other outstanding problems. Sir Michael Wright made it clear that Britain was acting jointly with the United States.

Russia's delegate Tsarapkin described the West's decision as "an encouraging step forward" which would have a good effect on negotiations. Afterwards he told the Press: "We have to read every line of it - and also between the lines".